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Was Illinois Basketball the Biggest Riser in ESPN's Updated Top-25 Rankings?

Was Illinois Basketball the Biggest Riser in ESPN's Updated Top-25 Rankings?

There have been a handful of huge wins in the early days of the college basketball season. Arizona over Florida on opening night started things off with a bang, and Alabama dumping St.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 14
Illinois Basketball Is About to Kick Illini Football to the Curb

Illinois Basketball Is About to Kick Illini Football to the Curb

Illinois basketball is back, baby! Imagine that in your best Dick Vitale voice, or just keep your ears open around Champaign and you're likely to hear some version of it spoken aloud.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 13
What We Know About Tomislav Ivisic's Status – and Other Illinois Injury Updates

What We Know About Tomislav Ivisic's Status – and Other Illinois Injury Updates

A few months ago, it would have been hard to imagine the current state of affairs around the Illinois men's basketball team had it been known then that junior center Tomislav Ivisic would suffer a knee injury that would sideline him for even a semi-significant period.

Hank Beatty News / Big Ten Network / November 13
College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 13
Preview: Illinois Basketball vs. Colgate (Game 4)

Preview: Illinois Basketball vs. Colgate (Game 4)

Despite currently missing arguably its best player and projected starting point guard, and having received zero starts from its star transfer and emerging go-to scorer , No.

Bret Bielema News / Sporting News / November 13

Bret Bielema pleads case for Illinois to make College Football Playoff despite drawback

Illinois was left out of the first two College Football Playoffs' official rankings the first two weeks, but coach Bret Bielema says his team should be in the discussion moving forward.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 13

Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. Oregon State (Game 3)

The Illinois women's basketball team will line up against its first real measuring stick of the young season Friday night when it travels west to take on Oregon State.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 12
Illinois Quickly Rises in Jon Rothstein's Rankings – But Should the Illini be Higher?

Illinois Quickly Rises in Jon Rothstein's Rankings – But Should the Illini be Higher?

Especially in a sport as fluid and reliant on team chemistry as basketball, it’s difficult to get an accurate read on teams in the preseason. Even early in the season, specifically before a squad faces a worthy foe, it can be tough to get a read on its quality.

Gabe Jacas News / Big Ten Network / November 12
Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 12
Illinois' Brad Underwood on Confidence of Winning and 'Knowing We Got Punched'

Illinois' Brad Underwood on Confidence of Winning and 'Knowing We Got Punched'

Tuesday offered the first hint of legitimacy of the months of speculation from many of us keeping tabs on Illinois basketball: These Illini are contenders.After an 81-77 win over No.

College Basketball News / Field Level Media / November 12
Clutch block allows No. 14 Illinois to edge No. 11 Texas Tech

Clutch block allows No. 14 Illinois to edge No. 11 Texas Tech

Andrej Stojakovic scored 23 points and made the big defensive play Tuesday night as No. 14 Illinois held off No. 11 Texas Tech 81-77 in Champaign, Ill.

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Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 11
Illinois' Brad Underwood Compares Current Backcourt to Legendary Illini Duo

Illinois' Brad Underwood Compares Current Backcourt to Legendary Illini Duo

Early in the offseason, the expectation was Illinois’ 2025-26 starting backcourt featuring Mihailo Petrovic and Kylan Boswell would be one of the best 1-2 perimeter punches in the Big Ten.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 10

Preview: Illinois Basketball vs. Texas Tech (Game 3)

We're still going to need some time to figure out exactly what the 2025-26 Illinois men's basketball team can become, but as of now, the No. 14 Illini already look like something pretty special.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / November 7
Brad Underwood News / Yardbarker / September 24
With recruiting rules in flux, Illinois HC calls NCAA a 'comedy'

With recruiting rules in flux, Illinois HC Brad Underwood calls NCAA a 'comedy'

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood says if the NCAA is going to change its recruiting rules to allow athletes to play five seasons of competition over a five-year span, he wants a decision to come ASAP.

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